Theoretical Analysis of Temperature Field and Thermoelectric Efficiency of Cylindrical Thermoelectric Generators

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the temperature field distribution and variation law of the thermoelectric efficiency of annular thermoelectric generators. To find those factors, we established thermoelectric equation in a cylindrical coordinate system. This paper shows that the maximum thermoelectric efficiency of a thermoelectric device is independent of its geometry but is dependent on its material parameters and boundary temperature. Given a certain current density, if the temperature difference changes, for example, if the temperature at the hot end rises, in structures of the same inner diameter, as the thickness increases, the thermoelectric efficiency first decreases and then increases. This theoretical analysis could provide guidance for designing cylindrical thermoelectric generators.